Katherine K. Carter
Associate Professor of Forest Resources

Kathy Carter joined the faculty at the University of Maine in 1981 and began a career that has spanned nearly three decades.  Kathy embraced the land-grant tradition of teaching, research and service in the areas of tree improvement, genetics and artificial regeneration.  She has made many research-related contributions in the area of tree improvement and artificial regeneration of norway spruce, black spruce, black walnut and brown ash. 

Kathy has also been active in service activities, including the Maine and New England Chapters of the Society of American Foresters, and research organizations related to forest genetics in the Northeast.   She has also shared her expertise in tree culture with many Maine communities, including Orono, Veazie, and the Native American community.  Kathy has also served on more than her share of committees within the School of Forest Resources, the College and the University.  She also found the time to serve one-year appointments as Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Dean of what is now the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture.

While Kathy’s accomplishments in research and service are numerous and outstanding, she will be remembered, first and foremost, as the consummate teacher.  Kathy has an infectious enthusiasm for learning and teaching that motivates everyone around her.  Students flock to her courses because they are well taught and yet fun.  She truly cares about the students and the students know it.  Kathy has done more to help the school retain its undergraduate students by simply teaching outstanding courses and serving as an example and mentor than most faculty members in the School. 

The School recognizes the void created by Kathy’s retirement.  Our undergraduates will miss her excellent courses and her caring ways.  Graduate students will miss her expertise and mentoring, and the faculty will miss the considerate but frank advice of a valued colleague.  We all wish her and David well as they share their retirement.